Sharp insights and bold ideas from across the Council

From climate change to the China challenge and the contest between democracy and dictatorship, the New Atlanticist is where top experts and policymakers at the Atlantic Council and beyond offer exclusive insight on the most pressing global challenges—and the US role in addressing them alongside allies and partners.

The Council’s flagship section features big ideas, groundbreaking research, lightning-fast expert reactions, in-depth analyses, and thought-provoking commentary to shape public policy.

US Congress Questions Rationale for Striking Syria

New Atlanticist
Mar 6, 2025

How European leaders are responding to Trump’s approach to Ukraine and Europe

From London and Berlin to Paris and Brussels, European leaders have taken several notable steps this week on security. This follows the blow-up between the Ukrainian and US presidents on February 28.

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US Congress Questions Rationale for Striking Syria

New Atlanticist
Feb 26, 2025

Why the US should not lift sanctions against Russia

By
Charles Lichfield

Sanctions are having an unmistakable effect, albeit below the inflated expectations of many in the West in early 2022. Lifting them now would be a mistake.

Conflict
Economic Sanctions

US Congress Questions Rationale for Striking Syria

New Atlanticist
Mar 5, 2025

The Egyptian plan for postwar Gaza is a good starting point—but it needs changes

By
Thomas S. Warrick

While many obstacles remain, the Egyptian proposal could form the starting point for negotiations over a workable plan for postwar Gaza.

Conflict
Crisis Management

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New Atlanticist

Sep 9, 2013

US Congress Questions Rationale for Striking Syria

By Barbara Slavin

President Barack Obama’s abrupt decision to seek congressional authorization for striking Syria has had at least one salutary effect so far: it has given Americans and their elected representatives a chance to express serious reservations about the limits of U.S. military intervention in shaping troubled foreign societies.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 9, 2013

Hadley Weighs in on Syria

In an opinion column in Sunday’s Washington Post, Atlantic Council Board Director Stephen Hadley put a simple case before readers for supporting military force in response to Syria’s use of chemical weapons. Every American committed to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon should urge Congress to grant President Obama authority to use military force […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 9, 2013

Eye on Syria: Arab League Says Assad Crossed “Global Red Line”

News Arab League Says Assad Crossed “Global Red Line” with Chemical Attack, The NationalArab League members said Saturday the use of chemical weapons in Syria had crossed “a global red line” and some threw their support behind a US strike. If Given Go-Ahead in Syria, US Navy Would Face Complex Mission, Washington PostIf President Obama […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 8, 2013

No More Baby Steps: Pentagon Needs a Real Strategic Review

By Barry Pavel and James Joyner

The United States must fundamentally rethink its defense strategy in light of major changes in both funding and the security challenges we face in the world.

New Atlanticist

Sep 6, 2013

China: Mao or Markets?

By Robert A. Manning

Why is Chinese president Xi Jinping embracing his inner Mao at a moment when China’s new leaders are on the verge of launching a new wave of reforms to retool China’s economy based on strengthening market forces? Hint: it may have something to do with the regime’s efforts to bring down the former Chongqing Communist […]

China

New Atlanticist

Sep 6, 2013

Eye on Syria: Pentagon Expanding Potential Targets

News Pentagon is Ordered to Expand Potential Targets in Syria with a Focus on Forces, New York TimesPresident Obama has directed the Pentagon to develop an expanded list of potential targets in Syria in response to intelligence suggesting that the government of President Bashar al-Assad has been moving troops and equipment used to employ chemical weapons while Congress […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 6, 2013

Don’t Use US Credibility as a Reason to Attack Syria

By Rajan Menon

What’s striking about the debate over President Obama’s plan for a punitive strike against Syrian President Bashar Assad is the extent to which it centers on countries other than Syria. There’s a reason for this. A concept that has had a long, significant though subtle influence on U.S. foreign policy is at work again: credibility.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 5, 2013

Is the Special Relationship Dead?

By Julian Lindley-French

Is the Anglo-American special relationship dead? In the wake of Parliament’s 29 August decision to block the use of British forces in any US-led strike on Syria British officers were ejected from planning meetings at US Central Command (CENTCOM). At this week’s G20 meeting in St Petersberg President Obama will pointedly have a private meeting […]

United Kingdom United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Sep 5, 2013

Five Reasons Why Congress Must Support Obama on Syria

By R. Nicholas Burns

Whether you agree or disagree with President Barack Obama’s surprising decision to ask Congress to authorize the use of force against Syria is last weekend’s question. Now that the Senate has begun a vigorous debate, this week’s only pertinent question is whether theUnited States will respond to the Syrian government’s use of chemical weapons against […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 5, 2013

Eye on Syria: US Senate Authorizes Strikes, Foreign Governments Look On

News Senate Panel Backs Use of Force Against Syria, Wall Street Journal A Senate panel backed President Barack Obama’s request for strikes on Syria, while the Pentagon has been revising options, including the use of Air Force bombers to supplement the four Navy destroyers armed with missiles. Where Congress Stands on Syria,Washington PostInfographic on where Congressional […]

Syria
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